Switch-target.



E. R. TRAMMELL.

SWITCH TARGET.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 13, 1912.

Patented Feb25 ,1913.

WITNESSES ATTORN EY ERASMUS R. TRAMMELL, 0F LAKELAND, FLORIDA.

SWITCH-TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Feb. 25,1913.

Application filed May 13, 1912. Serial No. 697,096.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ERASM'US R. Tniuinnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lakeland, in the county of Polk and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Switch-Target, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in switch targets.

The object of the present invent-ion is to provide a simple and efiicientswitch target of inexpensive construction adapted to eliminate the doubt, which often exists with the present form of target when the color alone indicates the set of the switch, and to render it impossible to mistake one position of the targetfor another when the color fades or when the target is used on curves where itis impossible to set the target so that only one color will be visible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch target of this character, capable of adjustment to arrange the parts so that one switch target will not obscure another, as is frequently the case where switch targets are placed close together.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that vari ous changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing :Figure 1 is an elevation of a switch target, constructed in accordance with this invention and arranged to show that the switch is set for the main line. Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the other position of the target for showing that the switch is set for the side track. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the switch target. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the relatively narrow target plate.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing.

In the acompanying drawing in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch target comprises in its construction a relatively long narrow vertically disposed white target plate 1 and a relatively short narrow red target plate 2,

angularly bent at opposite sides of its center along spaced vertical lines to form outer projecting portions or wings 3 and an intermediate connecting and attaching portion 4, which is secured to the vertically disposed white target plate .1 by a bolt 5, or other suitable fastening device. The intermediate attaching portion -.lof the target plate 2 is fitted against one of the faces of the vertical target plate 1, and it is preferably of a size to extend from one of the side edges of the vertical plate to approximately the center or median line of the same, so that one of the oppositely projecting portions or wings will extend from one of the side faces of the vertical plate in the median plane of the same, and the other outer portion or wing will proj ect in the opposite direction from one of the side edges of the vertical plate. The outer portion or wing, which projects from the side edge of the vertical plate, also engages such side edge and prevents the target plate 2 from rotating on the bolt 5, whereby a single bolt will rigidly secure the target plate in its adjustment.

The narrow vertical target plate is proided with perforations (3, arranged at intervals and. preferably located alternately at opposite sides of the median line of the vertical plate, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, to enable the target plate 2 to be arranged at different elevations and at either edge of the vertical target plate, but any other preferred arrangement of perforations may, of course, be employed. By enabling the target plate :2 to be arranged at either edge of the verti val target plate and at different elevations, a plurality of switch targets may be arranged close together with their target plates 2 in different positions, so that one switch target will not obscure another. One target plate may be arranged at the top of the vertical target plate and another switch ta rget may have its plate 2 at the bottom of the vertical target plate, and other switch targets may have their plates 2 at intermediate points, so that the position of any one of the targets will be clear and free from all doubt. Also by constructing a switch target with said plates 1 and 9, the position of a target and the switch with which it is connected will be positively known regardless of the color of the plates of the target, and there will be no doubt as to the position of a switch even when switches are used on curves where it is impossible to arrange the target so that only one color will be exposed.

When the target is arranged in one position for exposing the side faces of the narrow vertical plate, the outer portions or wings of the target plate 2 are arranged edgewise and are invisible. The intermediate attaching or connecting portion of the target plate 2 is of the same color as the vertical target plate. When the target is turned to its otherposition, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the outer portions or wings of the target plate 2 are exposed to view and the vertical target plate is arranged edgewise, and is, therefore, invisible.

The narrow vertical target plate 1 is provided at its upper and lower portions with centrally arranged perforations 7, receiving the side portions of U-shaped bolts 8 and embracing the vertical rod or shaft 9 of a switch stand and having threaded terminals for the reception of nuts 10, which are arranged at and engage one of the faces of the vertical target plate. The U-shaped bolts adjustably clamp the vertical targetp-late 1 to the rod or shaft 9 and enable the former to be raised and lowered to arrange the vertical target plate in the desired position. Any other suitable means, however, may, of course, be employed for securing the vertical. target plate to the rod or shaft 9. The upper end 12 of the rod or shaft 9 projects above the upper end of the vertical target plate and is tapered to form a support for a switch light, which may be mounted upon the rod or shaft 9 in any suitable manner.

The white target plate is designed to indicate when the switch is set for the main line, and the red target plate indicates when the switch is set for the side track, but any other distinctive colors may, of course, be employed. As the shape and position of the switch target and not the distinct color of the parts are depended upon, the switch target will be operative and safe whether the target plates are of the same or different colors.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A switch target including a vertical shaft, a vertical plate mounted on the shaft for indicating one position of a switch, and a pair of wings extending fro-1n the opposite faces of the vertical plate at right angles to the latter for indicating the other position of the switch, said wings consisting of a plate bent at right angles along spaced vertical lines to provide the said wings and forming an intermediate connecting portion secured to one of the faces of the vertical plate.

2. A switch target including a vertical shaft, a vertical plate secured to the shaft for indicating one position of a switch, and a plate bent at right angles along spaced vertical lines to form a pair of wings, and an intermediate connecting portion fitted against one of the faces of the vertical plate and extending inwardly from one of the side edges thereof to locate one of the wings at such side edge and the other wing at an intermediate point between the side edges of the vertical plate, said wings extending from the opposite faces of the vertical plate at right angles thereto.

3. A switch target including a relatively narrow vertical plate, and a relatively narrow plate composed of opposite outer portions or wings arranged at right angles to the plane of the vertical plate, and an intermediate portion connecting the outer portions or wings and arranged at right angles to the same, said connecting portion being fitted against one of the faces of the vertical target plate, and means for adjustably securing the said connecting portion of the relatively narrow target plate to the vertical taget plate for arranging the relatively narrow target plate at different elevations.

at. A switch target including a relatively narrow vertical plate, and a relatively narrow plate composed of opposite outer portions or wings arranged at right angles to the plane of the vertical plate, and an intermediate portion arranged at right angles to and connecting the outer portions or wings and fitted against one of the faces of the vertical target plate and extending from one edge thereof inwardly to a point intermediate of the side edges of the same to arrange one of the outer portions or wings of the relatively narrow plate between the side edges of the vertical plate and the other outer portion or wing at and in engagement with one of the said side 105 edges, and a fastening device piercing the intermediate portion of the relatively narrow plate and vertical plate.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signa- 120 ture in the presence of two witnesses.

ERASMUS R. TRAMMELL.

lVitnesses O. V. TRAMMELL, A. R. ROBERTSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents. Washington, D. C. 

